Halloween isn’t just about dressing up and devouring candy by the pound. It’s also the perfect excuse to explore some of the most haunted places in America. Why settle for a theme park haunted house when you can visit these historic destinations allegedly frequented by ghosts?
From cursed prisons to eerie hotels, the United States is full of places that will have you jumping at every creaky floorboard and flickering light. Whether you’re a full-on ghost hunter or just love a good spine-tingling story, these 10 spooky spots will add a little extra chill to your Halloween season. Just be sure to pack your bravest face.
Salem, Massachusetts
The town of Salem, just a 30-minute train ride north of Boston, is practically synonymous with witchcraft. If you’re into the paranormal, the Salem witch trials of 1692 are just the tip of the iceberg. The town has capitalized on its eerie history, turning it into a Halloween hot spot. But it’s not just the witch trial landmarks that will give you goosebumps; the entire town feels like it’s haunted. Some visitors report ghostly sightings near the Old Burying Point Cemetery, where the accusers and accused of the infamous trials lie in rest — or perhaps unrest.
On the top of your list should be a visit to the Witch House. It’s the last remaining building in Salem with a direct connection to the witch trials. Also, stop by the Salem Witch Museum, where you can sit in the dark and hear the tragic tales of those persecuted. If you’re in town this fall, the Salem Haunted Happenings festival hosts magic shows, markets and family-friendly events throughout September and October.
Eastern State Penitentiary, Philadelphia
If Halloween is your excuse to see an abandoned prison, then Eastern State Penitentiary should be at the top of your list. This 19th-century prison in Philadelphia was designed to isolate its inmates in complete silence (think solitary confinement but 100 times worse). Inmates were forced to wear hoods when leaving their cells to ensure that they never saw or spoke to another human being. It’s no surprise that some former residents are rumored to have overstayed their sentences … in ghostly form.
Visitors frequently report eerie footsteps, shadowy figures and creepy disembodied laughter echoing down the empty corridors. Plus, the prison is transformed every October into an interactive haunted house with five different scare zones. Just imagine getting chased by a ghost down a decaying cell block. Be sure to get VIP tickets, which give you access to the Speakeasy at Al Capone’s Cell and two complimentary drinks.
Savannah, Georgia
Savannah, Georgia, is often described as one of the most haunted cities in the U.S., and for good reason. Beneath its charming squares, draped in Spanish moss, lurks a past full of war, fires and, of course, ghosts. The city’s spooky reputation comes from its history, which includes Revolutionary War and Civil War battles and yellow fever epidemics, all of which left their spectral marks on the city.
Nearly every street and square in Savannah has a ghost story, but none are more famous than those tied to the Sorrel Weed House and Bonaventure Cemetery. The Sorrel Weed House is known for ghostly apparitions, strange shadows and the sounds of voices that echo through the hallways. Bonaventure Cemetery, immortalized in the book “Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil,” is not only beautiful but said to be home to lingering spirits. Tours here offer a deep dive into Savannah’s spooky history, and it’s easy to see why some say this city never sleeps — at least not peacefully.
The Lizzie Borden House, Fall River, Massachusetts
Who’s up for spending the night at the site of a brutal double homicide? Lizzie Borden was accused of murdering her stepmother and father with a hatchet in 1892 (though she was acquitted). Today, the Lizzie Borden House operates as a bed-and-breakfast, where guests can stay in the room where Abby Borden met her untimely end. (Rates start at $260 per night.) Too scared to spend the night? There are also tours of the house during the day and themed dinners on select evenings.
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If you do choose to spend the night, you might hear weeping sounds and disembodied footsteps, experience fire alarms going off in the middle of the night for no reason, or see doors open and close independently. The bravest visitors claim to have seen a woman dressed in Victorian-era clothing wandering the halls. If your idea of a good night’s sleep includes the possibility of a ghostly roommate, this is the place for you.
St. Augustine Lighthouse, St. Augustine, Florida
The oldest city in the U.S. is naturally packed with haunted history, but the St. Augustine Lighthouse stands out for its eerie atmosphere and tragic tales. Built in the 1800s, the lighthouse is said to be haunted by the spirits of two young girls who drowned nearby. Visitors often report hearing laughter and seeing shadowy figures running up and down the lighthouse stairs.
The lighthouse offers ghost tours at night, and many brave souls have reported cold spots, flickering lights and the unmistakable feeling of being watched. One of the most infamous spirits is the “Man in Blue,” a former lighthouse keeper who tragically fell to his death while painting the tower.
The Stanley Hotel, Estes Park, Colorado
You may know it as the hotel that inspired “The Shining,” but the Stanley Hotel is creepy enough without Stephen King’s added embellishments. Located near the picturesque Rocky Mountain National Park, this historic hotel has been serving up ghost sightings and eerie piano music since 1909. (Rates start at $229 per night.)
Guests and staff alike have reported seeing the ghosts of former residents and hearing the phantom keys of a piano play in the dead of night. The Stanley leans into its reputation, offering nightly ghost tours and psychic consultations with its in-house medium, Madame Vera. Bring your hiking boots; you might need to outrun a ghost or two.
Related: 6 things I saw during my stay at the ‘haunted’ Stanley Hotel
Alcatraz Island, San Francisco
Alcatraz is more than just a former maximum-security prison; it’s also a spooky tourist attraction that will send shivers down your spine. Located on an island in San Francisco Bay, Alcatraz was home to some of the most famous and dangerous criminals in U.S. history, including Al Capone. But now, it’s the spectral prisoners that seem to be drawing the most attention.
Reports of ghostly apparitions, cell doors slamming shut on their own and mysterious screams are common among those who visit. Take a nighttime tour for the full horror-movie experience.
Related: From Coronado to Alcatraz: Your guide to California’s coastal islands
Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
The site of the bloodiest battle of the Civil War, Gettysburg is allegedly one of the most haunted places in America. Over 50,000 soldiers died during the three-day battle in the southern Pennsylvania town in 1863, and it seems not all of them have moved on. Ghost hunters love Gettysburg, and there are plenty of paranormal tours that will guide you through the town’s spookiest locations.
The most notorious spots for hauntings include Devil’s Den, where ghostly soldiers are often seen, and the Jennie Wade House, where the only civilian killed during the battle allegedly still roams.
The Queen Mary, Long Beach, California
The Queen Mary is a floating hotel and former luxury liner with a long and eerie history. It was used as a troop ship during World War II, and numerous people died aboard. Today, the ship is moored in Long Beach in southern California, where guests report everything from ghostly apparitions to mysterious knocks in the night. (Rates start at $166 per night.)
Haunted hot spots include the ship’s engine room and the first-class swimming pool, where ghostly swimmers have been spotted doing laps long after the pool was drained. Even the ship’s crew admits to its macabre history, offering midnight ghost tours and seances for visitors brave enough to look for the paranormal. From Sept. 20 to Nov. 2, the ship and surrounding harbor host the Dark Harbor Halloween festival with haunted mazes, live entertainment, themed bars and carnival rides.
Boston
Boston‘s got more than just Revolutionary War history. If you know where to look, you’ll also find spooky tales that’ll give you chills. For example, Omni Parker House, the oldest continuously operating hotel in the U.S., is notorious for hauntings. Guests claim to see ghostly figures like Charles Dickens (who stayed there) and even the original owner, Harvey Parker, checking on guests late at night. Elevators? They stop at random floors just to keep things creepy. (Rates start at $179 per night.)
Wander the Freedom Trail, where the ghosts of patriots and redcoats might appear at spots like Granary Burying Ground. The official Lantern Tour, which covers the macabre history of the Freedom Trail, is offered on select nights in September and October. Or head to Boston Common after dark — rumor has it, the cries of British soldiers can still be heard. And for the brave, the spooky Fort Warren on Georges Island is haunted by the “Lady in Black,” a Confederate spy who met a grim end there. Boston’s history may be iconic, but its ghost stories are what really keep things lively. Well, sort of.
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